Re: Pectorals galore at Jordan Lake

[Mike Skakuj <mskakuj@nc.rr.com>]

Hi,

I have just came back from the site:

American Avocet - 2 ad
Killdeer - 72
Lesser Yellowlegs - 3
Short-billed Dowitch. (hendersoni) - 1 ad
Solitary Sand. - 11
Spotted Sand. - 6 ad 2 juv
Pectoral Sand. - 17 (mostly ad)
Western Sand. - 12 ad
Semipalmated Sand. - 28 (mostly ad)
Least Sand. - 17
Stilt Sand. - 6 ad

That was around noon so birds were not very active, some were sleeping or
resting.
The best access is from the 751 side, the opposite bank is with longer distance
to birds and with big area of grassy flats and mostly against the sun. When you
park some 150 yards before the bridge and take road into the forest (passing
some "mid forest corn fields") it is some 20 minutes walk to the spot.
Looking at the numbers (177 shorebirds) it seems that some birds are gone or
were feeding somewhere else.

Mike


Steven Shultz wrote:

> I apologize if this double posts.  I think I sent it in HTML originally.
> Anyway...
>
> Spurred by Ricky's note, I enjoyed watching shorebirds this afternoon at
> Jordan Lake.  The most common species was Pectoral Sandpiper with 68 noted.
> Several of the Stilt Sandpipers Ricky noted were also present, the majority
> still in breeding plumage.  Other shorebird species: Western SP, Solitary,
> Spotted, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Least SP, peep sp., and
> plenty of Killdeer with many chicks.  Non shorebirds included Bald Eagle and
> White Ibis (all immatures).  Did not see the storks, but there were plenty
> of "white birds" farther upstream.  Several other birders were in the area
> when I left, so the storks may be relocated.
>
> A few hints for those interested in seeing the shorebirds.  There are two
> ways to get to the flats, park at the little gravel lot on the west side of
> the road north of the 751 bridge and walk west to the main body of the lake,
> then north along the exposed shoreline, or park at the end of Old New Hope
> Valley Road and walk east to the lake and south along the shoreline.
> Today's birds were better seen from the 751 side.  The walk is about a mile
> each way to the nearest birds.  The largest flock of shorebirds (100+) was
> located at the point where the lake is almost bisected by a peninsular bar
> extending from the eastern shore across to the west. A scope is needed.
>
> I'm considering heading out to Pea Island this weekend to look for
> shorebirds (and maybe get lucky with a Curlew SP??)  If anyone from the
> triangle area is interested in going along, maybe we can split expenses and
> share a ride?  I'll be glad to drive.
>
> Have a great week!
> Steve Shultz
> Apex, NC

--
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Michal Skakuj  Ph.D.
4600 University Drive # 1312
Durham, NC 27707
phone, fax: (919) 402 9961
mobile phone: 919 599 3040